Personality traits at age 16 and risk of metabolic syndrome at age 46.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether five-factor model personality traits at age 16 are associated with risk of metabolic syndrome 30 years later at age 46 and whether adolescent personality mediates the association between childhood social class and midlife metabolic health.

METHODS

Participants were from the British Cohort Study 1970, a birth cohort study of participants all born in the same week in 1970. Personality was assessed by participants' mothers (n = 3819) and participants' themselves (n = 2697) at age 16. The five components of the metabolic syndrome were measured at the age 46 assessment: elevated blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, waist circumference and lower HDL cholesterol.

RESULTS

Mother-rated neuroticism and mother-rated conscientiousness at age 16 were associated with risk of metabolic syndrome at age 46 (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.04, 1.36 and OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.62, 0.78, respectively). Self-reported neuroticism was also associated with metabolic syndrome risk (OR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.91). Mother-rated conscientiousness at age 16 accounted for 10% of the association between childhood social class and metabolic health at age 46. None of the other traits were significant mediators.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with lifespan models of personality and health, age 16 personality traits were associated with metabolic health measured 30 years later. Personality traits may also function as a mechanism through which early-life socioeconomic status contributes to midlife health.